parfait

Meanings

1. A French parfait (parfait glacé), an iced dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, cream, and flavouring (usually fruit), sometimes with the addition of a liqueur.
2. An American parfait, a layered dessert often consisting of fruit, ice cream, pastries, whipped topping, etc. and served in a glass, often a parfait glass.
3. A smooth pâté, usually made from liver and flavoured with liqueurs.

1. A surname from French [in turn transferred from the nickname].

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French parfait (“perfect”). Doublet of parfit, perfect, perfecto, and perfectus.